London

UK Prime Minister Theresa May is said to be weighing whether to accept for the first time the need to discuss the European Union's demand for a "Brexit bill" of tens of billions of pounds, in a move designed to kick-start stalled negotiations in Brussels.

Mrs May will hold talks with her cabinet ministers before deciding how far she can go in promising money to the EU when she makes a landmark speech on Brexit in Florence, Italy, on Friday, a person familiar with the matter said. The premier has also signalled that she will try to bypass EU negotiator Michel Barnier in an appeal to heads of the other 27 EU governments, even as the bloc's unity appears steadfast.